When someone becomes a Christian, or they decide to make their faith a higher priority in their life, it can be difficult for them to reconcile some of the mistakes and poor decisions they have made in their past. Celebrities certainly aren’t immune to this process. In fact, because their lives are made so public, it might be harder for them to come to terms with some of the horrible things they have done.
Mark Wahlberg is one such celebrity who, in light of his Christian faith, has had to go through the process of coming to terms with some of his past decisions.
Wahlberg is a Roman Catholic who says he has been seeking God’s forgiveness for some of the movie roles he has had in the past. One movie role in particular has caused the actor much grief and heartache, and that is the role of up and coming porn star, Eddie Adams, which he played in the 1997 film, Boogie Nights.
In the movie, Wahlberg’s character was a high school drop-out who became a porn star, giving himself the screen name, “Dirk Diggler.” Wahlberg’s character eventually starts doing cocaine, and because he is no longer successful at making movies, he eventually resorts to prostitution as a way to earn money.
The role of Eddie Adams was originally written for Leonardo DiCaprio, but because he was already doing Titanic, he recommended Wahlberg for the role. Today, Wahlberg is probably wishing that recommendation had never been made. Even though the movie Boogie Nights helped to launch his acting career, he still thinks that movie in particular is “up there at the top of the list” as far as seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Wahlberg has also regretted other roles, such as John Bennett in the movie Ted. In 2015, he apologized to Pope Francis because of the crude jokes his character had made in the movie.
“I just always hope that God is a movie fan and also forgiving, because I’ve made some poor choices in my past,” says Wahlberg.
Before making movies, Wahlberg was known for his involvement in the musical group, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. His older brother, Donnie was a member of the boy band New Kids on the Block. In 1992 Wahlberg had also appeared in a series of underwear ads for Calvin Klein.
Today, Wahlberg, who is married to model Rhea Durham and has four children, wants to put his past behind him as he seeks to make a positive impact on the youth and use his celebrity status to help promote events for young Catholics. A past that also consists of involvement in street gangs, spending time in prison, and being charged with attempted murder after assaulting an immigrant from Vietnam.
“I’ve never been shy about sharing my past and the bad decisions I’ve made and being affiliated with gangs, being incarcerated, so absolutely I think they can identify with me on a personal level, and that’s why I’ve continued to try to do as much as I can to help young people,” says Wahlberg.
Wahlberg has also admitted that he feels “remorse” about his past mistakes and would go back and change things if he could. Since he knows that isn’t possible, he has chosen instead to give back in a positive way.
When addressing participants at the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors in Boston, Wahlberg said, “In my daily prayers, I ask for guidance, strength in my vocation as a husband and as a father. I want you to know my support for your work to foster vocations to the priesthood, because I want my children and future generations to have good priests in their lives, just like I had.”
Wahlberg admits that his whole life changed when he began putting his focus on prayer and on his faith. He also says that being Catholic is the most important part of his life. Wahlberg credits Father James Flavin for leading him away from living a life of crime and sinful behavior to that of a devout Catholic.
Of his spiritual director Wahlberg says, “He’s been in my life since I was 13. He married me and my wife and baptized all my children.”
In 2001 he founded the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation, which seeks to “improve the quality of life for inner city youth.” Wahlberg is also active with The Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children.
~ Christian Patriot Daily
